Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tricker seals her fate. #7
From when she was small, John would turn Tricker out of her cage and stay with her as she explored the yard, the alley, etc.. She never went too far, never created problems and went back to her cage, when John herded her back. But as Tricker matured, she spent more and more time travelling the tree tops, eating fruit, and who knows what and generally becoming more independent. John would start trying to corral her an hour or so before dark and, eventually Tricker decided that she liked night time operations perhaps even better than daytime operations. So there were days when John would give up, go inside and wait until Tricker let herself back into the house or cage on her own. She was able to open our back screen doors, which were locked only by a latch at the top, by pulling the bottom of the door frame and then push her way through. Eventually, Ruth decided that a second latch should be added to the bottom to put an end to that. Seemed like a great idea and actually worked, as well, until there was a night when Tricker wouldn't come down from her tree. John gave up at some point during the night. Tricker, thwarted by the second latch , decided she could just go ahead and get in by burrowing through the roof. When John, who was often on the roof for a variety of reasons only known to him, soon saw the massive hole over the play room which was clawed through the shingles, tar paper and all the way to the wood he figured one or both of them were goners. Sure enough, a field trip to the dove fields was arranged for the both of them... but one of them would not return.
Tricker goes to school(not) & John leaves school #6
John has finally added to the Tricker Stories. This is the first.
When John was in the 5th grade his teacher, Mrs Hargrove, became aware that John had an interesting pet that many might like to see. Thinking it would be an educational experience, she invited John to bring Tricker to school for a sort of "show and tell" at a specific date and time. At this point Tricker was pretty much an adult raccoon who had definitely developed a sizable body and mind of her own. So, first thing on the appointed morning, John hooked up Tricker's harness to the leash and set out for school. The only problem was that there just happened to be a driving rainstorm at the time. As John and Tricker arrived at the street and began their first crossing, Tricker decided for the first time in her life that she was not at all interested in crossing the street, or furthermore , going anywhere John was interested in taking her. So...after a short raccoon rodeo began, involving mule-like leg setting, monkey-like leg climbing, dashes int the pittosporum hedge , etc.. In the driving rain they both decided that it probably wasn't in the best interest of anyone to continue on that path. After a bit of reflexion, it was decided that maybe Tricker wasn't the best school visitor then, or ever, as she was getting pretty large and more independent. Big independent critters with lots of sharp teeth probably should stay at home. It should be mentioned that John was summoned at school by his mother when Tricker occasionally slipped int the main part of the house and holed up under a bed, to her great consternation. For some reason, Maria(pt time maid) was hard to convince that a playful raccoon swiping at her ankles should be part of making a bed! John would be summoned and normality was gradually restored by the removal of Tricker from under the bed and so on. Fortunately, the principal and teachers knew our family well and understood the predicament. We just weren't like other families!
When John was in the 5th grade his teacher, Mrs Hargrove, became aware that John had an interesting pet that many might like to see. Thinking it would be an educational experience, she invited John to bring Tricker to school for a sort of "show and tell" at a specific date and time. At this point Tricker was pretty much an adult raccoon who had definitely developed a sizable body and mind of her own. So, first thing on the appointed morning, John hooked up Tricker's harness to the leash and set out for school. The only problem was that there just happened to be a driving rainstorm at the time. As John and Tricker arrived at the street and began their first crossing, Tricker decided for the first time in her life that she was not at all interested in crossing the street, or furthermore , going anywhere John was interested in taking her. So...after a short raccoon rodeo began, involving mule-like leg setting, monkey-like leg climbing, dashes int the pittosporum hedge , etc.. In the driving rain they both decided that it probably wasn't in the best interest of anyone to continue on that path. After a bit of reflexion, it was decided that maybe Tricker wasn't the best school visitor then, or ever, as she was getting pretty large and more independent. Big independent critters with lots of sharp teeth probably should stay at home. It should be mentioned that John was summoned at school by his mother when Tricker occasionally slipped int the main part of the house and holed up under a bed, to her great consternation. For some reason, Maria(pt time maid) was hard to convince that a playful raccoon swiping at her ankles should be part of making a bed! John would be summoned and normality was gradually restored by the removal of Tricker from under the bed and so on. Fortunately, the principal and teachers knew our family well and understood the predicament. We just weren't like other families!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tricker ##5- Subsisting
Tricker in the interim between her arrival at the Kuhl household and the grocery catastrophe had endeared herself to the family by being very helpful.
She checked under the overstuffed chairs, the sofa, and under the kitchen furniture frequently during the day, as well as checking the veneer of the doors, screen inlays, the "pockets" around the bases of the louvers, and so on.
Apparently, somewhere along the way she had had beautician lessons and loved to work with Mary Kay's abundant curls to everyone's appreciation, especially Mary's.
Her checking under the furniture at times ran counter to the directions of Ruth--"la ama de la casa"--so when Ruth attempted to persuade Tricker to check in other areas from those Tricker had selected, there was conflict -more than mental-, so "The Tricker Master" and his aid, was sought. So John was summoned from the nearby elementary school. As a result, John spent quite a little time soothing the two mistresses of the house. The teachers at the school were interested and cooperative so things went smoothly ,-- at first. After the third episode, for some unknown reason, the school authority became a "bit testy" and shall we say "short tempered" .
All in all, Tricker's popularity was definitely on the wane as her judgement and that of the"ama de la casa" differed. The true "ama" was not about to defer her long standing authority to this furry newcomer in her house!!!
She checked under the overstuffed chairs, the sofa, and under the kitchen furniture frequently during the day, as well as checking the veneer of the doors, screen inlays, the "pockets" around the bases of the louvers, and so on.
Apparently, somewhere along the way she had had beautician lessons and loved to work with Mary Kay's abundant curls to everyone's appreciation, especially Mary's.
Her checking under the furniture at times ran counter to the directions of Ruth--"la ama de la casa"--so when Ruth attempted to persuade Tricker to check in other areas from those Tricker had selected, there was conflict -more than mental-, so "The Tricker Master" and his aid, was sought. So John was summoned from the nearby elementary school. As a result, John spent quite a little time soothing the two mistresses of the house. The teachers at the school were interested and cooperative so things went smoothly ,-- at first. After the third episode, for some unknown reason, the school authority became a "bit testy" and shall we say "short tempered" .
All in all, Tricker's popularity was definitely on the wane as her judgement and that of the"ama de la casa" differed. The true "ama" was not about to defer her long standing authority to this furry newcomer in her house!!!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tricker #4
In the past few weeks I've held off on "Tricker" stories because I'd hoped to get the collaboration of John, the real "Tricker Expert". Fortunately for him his athletic girls are setting the world on
fire with their soccer. --- John's been helping them anyway he can. -Better than Tricker, it turns out!
On inquiring in the family, perhaps the most dramatic episode occurred one pleasant afternoon. The girls, Corien and Martha, were home from school and I don't know about John and Walter, but I'm sure they were otherwise occupied.
It seems that Ruth, after the "little girls" had arrived home from school, had gone to do a bit of grocery shopping. Meanwhile , Tricker , as was her wont, was climbing around the house , doing her duty, as she saw it, including the walls and the roof. In short, having a wonderful time as an inspector of the building. --Checking the locks of the doors and windows, the veneer of the doors, the hooks in the screen doors, and other fabulous things as her job as inspector of buildings in the "Valley" area required. I'm sure she was enjoying her chosen occupation to the fullest, but along came Ruth with her car laden with groceries! What a put down!!
What was the normal loving raccoon to do when the mistress of the house comes loaded with groceries!? Jump on her from the roof and try to give her a big hug, of course! Amid the unappreciative screams, scrambling, and the flying groceries, I'm sure "Tricker " was really upset! After a decent prescribed
interval , everyone resumed the quiet , dignified attitude and the usual tranquil life was again pursued. -with a distressed, disgusted attitude, the " ama de la casa" in the midst of it all. -- I'm sure Tricker's ultimate fate was sealed that day! -John received "instructions" and other bits of valuable information were released in that "pregnant" atmosphere!
Strangely, by the time I arrived at home , all was quiet and tranquility reigned, (or Tricker thought) as she resumed her "benign? reign" over the house at 1200 LaVista.
fire with their soccer. --- John's been helping them anyway he can. -Better than Tricker, it turns out!
On inquiring in the family, perhaps the most dramatic episode occurred one pleasant afternoon. The girls, Corien and Martha, were home from school and I don't know about John and Walter, but I'm sure they were otherwise occupied.
It seems that Ruth, after the "little girls" had arrived home from school, had gone to do a bit of grocery shopping. Meanwhile , Tricker , as was her wont, was climbing around the house , doing her duty, as she saw it, including the walls and the roof. In short, having a wonderful time as an inspector of the building. --Checking the locks of the doors and windows, the veneer of the doors, the hooks in the screen doors, and other fabulous things as her job as inspector of buildings in the "Valley" area required. I'm sure she was enjoying her chosen occupation to the fullest, but along came Ruth with her car laden with groceries! What a put down!!
What was the normal loving raccoon to do when the mistress of the house comes loaded with groceries!? Jump on her from the roof and try to give her a big hug, of course! Amid the unappreciative screams, scrambling, and the flying groceries, I'm sure "Tricker " was really upset! After a decent prescribed
interval , everyone resumed the quiet , dignified attitude and the usual tranquil life was again pursued. -with a distressed, disgusted attitude, the " ama de la casa" in the midst of it all. -- I'm sure Tricker's ultimate fate was sealed that day! -John received "instructions" and other bits of valuable information were released in that "pregnant" atmosphere!
Strangely, by the time I arrived at home , all was quiet and tranquility reigned, (or Tricker thought) as she resumed her "benign? reign" over the house at 1200 LaVista.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Tricker #3 Starts to settle in.
I was wrong about the box. It came from the neighborhood. -From friends I always called "The big people". They were all 6-footers except for the 3rd grader , who was only 5'3" tall.
However, the first night was an indication of things to come. In the morning it was observed that Tricker had decided the box was cramping her style, so she let herself out. --Shortly after departing the box she apparently encountered little sister's oil paints. -- It was evident that she thought she looked good in "umber" --or was it "burnt umber" or just chocolate brown?' This was in spots all over the accessible body. Gorgeous!?! Whatever shade it was we had a well spotted , brown, that is,-spotted raccoon all over the available body. -- After a brief session , John cleaned her up(a bit) and the real pine box from the undertaker friend was obtained and suitably modified with heavy duty wire and nails.
Note-- The forepaws of a raccoon look like little hands and might as well be, --with strength beyond the appearance that the size seems to indicate. The previous "wire gate" had been "duck soup" to Tricker!
Of course, there was a brief lecture and warning from yours truly concerning the care and "keeping" of said raccoon. (Talk about hot air!)
So this was a brief warning of the future at our relatively peaceful domicile.
However, the first night was an indication of things to come. In the morning it was observed that Tricker had decided the box was cramping her style, so she let herself out. --Shortly after departing the box she apparently encountered little sister's oil paints. -- It was evident that she thought she looked good in "umber" --or was it "burnt umber" or just chocolate brown?' This was in spots all over the accessible body. Gorgeous!?! Whatever shade it was we had a well spotted , brown, that is,-spotted raccoon all over the available body. -- After a brief session , John cleaned her up(a bit) and the real pine box from the undertaker friend was obtained and suitably modified with heavy duty wire and nails.
Note-- The forepaws of a raccoon look like little hands and might as well be, --with strength beyond the appearance that the size seems to indicate. The previous "wire gate" had been "duck soup" to Tricker!
Of course, there was a brief lecture and warning from yours truly concerning the care and "keeping" of said raccoon. (Talk about hot air!)
So this was a brief warning of the future at our relatively peaceful domicile.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tricker #2- Becomes "Family"
In a few days after the "possum incident", Ruth made what might be considered a tactical error. She went to Gibson's (a poor man's cut-rate store in the area) with John. Presumably she was intending to purchase - or at least review- shampoo, tooth paste, combs and brushes or the like at inexpensive prices. We were both "depression kids" so low prices were important to us, essentially all our lives, hence the "cut-rate store".
The "fatal error" with this store was that it had a "pet shop"! On arriving I'm sure John made a bee line to the pet area and a thorough investigation was undertaken. In a brief period of time Ruth was probably orally defending house and home. But Ruth was a vulnerable object facing an irresistable force. -So the purchase was made!
That evening after my "day at the office" I returned to find we had another cute little member in our family. -- A darling, winsome little raccoon! John had obtained a box from a funeral director friend ,fenced it at one end , there it was ---the latest member of our already large family! I'm sure I expressed a little skepticism, but I was not the house keeper so it wasn't important. And so the adventure began!
The "fatal error" with this store was that it had a "pet shop"! On arriving I'm sure John made a bee line to the pet area and a thorough investigation was undertaken. In a brief period of time Ruth was probably orally defending house and home. But Ruth was a vulnerable object facing an irresistable force. -So the purchase was made!
That evening after my "day at the office" I returned to find we had another cute little member in our family. -- A darling, winsome little raccoon! John had obtained a box from a funeral director friend ,fenced it at one end , there it was ---the latest member of our already large family! I'm sure I expressed a little skepticism, but I was not the house keeper so it wasn't important. And so the adventure began!
"Tricker" #1
Ruth was a wonderful beautiful person:wife,mother, student, and even tolerated me.
One of the briefest times for Ruth to earn a star for her crown undoubtedly was when the raccoon, "Tricker" affected our family.
The " door was opened " one fall week-end when we encountered a female possum complete with a dozen or so mouse-sized little ones in our garbage can by the alley. Usually the cans were covered except when the garbage was collected and the covers left off to allow the cans to dry. At any rate, that day the cover had been off and the can was occupied by several "critters". We brought out our old mini-sized 22 (a relic from a promotion back in the 1900s ) and I proceeded to dispatch the mother and the little ones one at a time.
John decided that he wanted --and would care for-- one of the little ones. At that time John was a very persuasive kid(11) and seeing no harm -I (we) decided to let the experiment proceed. --He did like animals, and of course he would take care of it, etc., etc., etc. .
So the busy little boy obtained a box and the tiny doll-sized milk bottle to feed the "young un"with at the picnic table in the back yard. -- I shrugged my shoulders and relented("another phase") I thought to myself.)
I resumed my morning "chores" and after a half hour or so, I came out to see how things were going. --Neither John nor " the baby" were in sight, I called John and asked him where "the baby" was. "On the table" was the quick reply. --"No he's not " was my equally quick reply. After about 15 min. of frantic searching , we gave up. I philosophized by mentioning "There are many cats in the neighborhood." That didn't help , but John quieted down. -- To be heard from later!
One of the briefest times for Ruth to earn a star for her crown undoubtedly was when the raccoon, "Tricker" affected our family.
The " door was opened " one fall week-end when we encountered a female possum complete with a dozen or so mouse-sized little ones in our garbage can by the alley. Usually the cans were covered except when the garbage was collected and the covers left off to allow the cans to dry. At any rate, that day the cover had been off and the can was occupied by several "critters". We brought out our old mini-sized 22 (a relic from a promotion back in the 1900s ) and I proceeded to dispatch the mother and the little ones one at a time.
John decided that he wanted --and would care for-- one of the little ones. At that time John was a very persuasive kid(11) and seeing no harm -I (we) decided to let the experiment proceed. --He did like animals, and of course he would take care of it, etc., etc., etc. .
So the busy little boy obtained a box and the tiny doll-sized milk bottle to feed the "young un"with at the picnic table in the back yard. -- I shrugged my shoulders and relented("another phase") I thought to myself.)
I resumed my morning "chores" and after a half hour or so, I came out to see how things were going. --Neither John nor " the baby" were in sight, I called John and asked him where "the baby" was. "On the table" was the quick reply. --"No he's not " was my equally quick reply. After about 15 min. of frantic searching , we gave up. I philosophized by mentioning "There are many cats in the neighborhood." That didn't help , but John quieted down. -- To be heard from later!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Role Model
Baseball used to be "The All American "game! During the depression it was essentially the only sport having a professional team. Football was "manned" by semi pros of dubious talent and the communities seemed to be steel mill towns such as Akron, Wheeling, Bradford(Pa), Massillon and basically evanescent supporting towns of the Ohio and Pennsylvania area with scattered towns from Indiana, Illinois and Michigan mixed in.
The two 12 team (National & American) leagues that were in operation in baseball seemed to be the only stable portions of professional sports in operation. As a morning paper boy my day frequently began with reviewing the previous day's games to see how my"Yankees" did. The premium professional team of all sports at that time. My friends would follow the Cardinals, the Boston Red Sox, ,the Tigers, etc.. Baseball was it!!
With this background it is easy to realize that baseball players in the family meant a lot to me. Especially since our family was not built on heroic lines , as required in football and many other sports.
Two of our sons were excellent baseball players. One of them was in Kansas for the high school years of his sons. Both excelled in baseball -- as pitchers-- not fielders, although I'm sure they could have handled those areas as well.
I was privileged to be in Kansas when the elder of the two was pitching for his high school team. Unfortunately I was a bit late so I didn't get to see the whole game. However, when I arrived in the second or third inning my grandson was on the mound and doing well.
Of course ,I wanted to see his "stuff"so I stationed myself behind the backstop screen, to get the best angle for evaluation of the pitcher's delivery. Very shortly a foul pop fly from a strike soared over the backstop screen. I as in perfect position to make a deft grab and snared the ball barehanded. Of course the impact of the ball stung my hand. As I waited for the stinging to subside --- thoughts flashed through my mind! Here i was having made a good play! --the 3 all-star selections I'd been in flashed through my mind- and the only guy to hit a home run in my high school team zipped through my rapid thinker. I 'd be a Role Model for my grandkids!
- So the stinging did subside, --I heaved the ball ostensibly over the backstop. -In 3-5 seconds the ball returned to me. Rumbledy, bumbledy hop to my waiting hand. Just a little bit later with a full head of steam I threw the ball "over the backstop". This time it took 5-7 seconds for the ball to come rumbledy bumbledy hop to me. This time with my "tail figuratively between my legs" I walked around the edge of the screen and tossed the ball to my grandson, -And the game resumed. (We won!)
"Role Model "-- hmm. Humiliation, YES!
Note As recently as 24 Sept 2011, my grandson remembered the incident well! --He still loves me but(as a Role Model---NO!) !
The two 12 team (National & American) leagues that were in operation in baseball seemed to be the only stable portions of professional sports in operation. As a morning paper boy my day frequently began with reviewing the previous day's games to see how my"Yankees" did. The premium professional team of all sports at that time. My friends would follow the Cardinals, the Boston Red Sox, ,the Tigers, etc.. Baseball was it!!
With this background it is easy to realize that baseball players in the family meant a lot to me. Especially since our family was not built on heroic lines , as required in football and many other sports.
Two of our sons were excellent baseball players. One of them was in Kansas for the high school years of his sons. Both excelled in baseball -- as pitchers-- not fielders, although I'm sure they could have handled those areas as well.
I was privileged to be in Kansas when the elder of the two was pitching for his high school team. Unfortunately I was a bit late so I didn't get to see the whole game. However, when I arrived in the second or third inning my grandson was on the mound and doing well.
Of course ,I wanted to see his "stuff"so I stationed myself behind the backstop screen, to get the best angle for evaluation of the pitcher's delivery. Very shortly a foul pop fly from a strike soared over the backstop screen. I as in perfect position to make a deft grab and snared the ball barehanded. Of course the impact of the ball stung my hand. As I waited for the stinging to subside --- thoughts flashed through my mind! Here i was having made a good play! --the 3 all-star selections I'd been in flashed through my mind- and the only guy to hit a home run in my high school team zipped through my rapid thinker. I 'd be a Role Model for my grandkids!
- So the stinging did subside, --I heaved the ball ostensibly over the backstop. -In 3-5 seconds the ball returned to me. Rumbledy, bumbledy hop to my waiting hand. Just a little bit later with a full head of steam I threw the ball "over the backstop". This time it took 5-7 seconds for the ball to come rumbledy bumbledy hop to me. This time with my "tail figuratively between my legs" I walked around the edge of the screen and tossed the ball to my grandson, -And the game resumed. (We won!)
"Role Model "-- hmm. Humiliation, YES!
Note As recently as 24 Sept 2011, my grandson remembered the incident well! --He still loves me but(as a Role Model---NO!) !
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Bio-Chaddock, Harry #4 (Ivan)Contd
Harry Hiram Chaddock B11 Jul 1878 D 11 Jul 1936
Anna Louise Buell Chaddock B 17 Feb 1876 D 21 Feb 1962
My association with Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise was unique in that in 1933 I spent six weeks with them and attended school in Perry. Lois was like my big sister so I would frequently carry her books home from school, (Something had come up!). She was very popular in High School and was very active! I was happy to have a Big Sister. Made me special!
At that time I became acquainted with "Little Orphan Annie" and "Jack Armstrong , the All American Boy" which programs were on the radio when I arrived "at home". The brushy river bank became a first class place to chase bad guys and Indians and such(I was 12). ( Radio was not a part of home in Batavia, especially a console as Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise had).
Aunt Louise is the only person I ever knew who made toast in the oven with a pop-up toaster across the room. They also had a "flip-over "toaster . Also frequently ignored.
Cinnamon toast was an appreciated by-product (of the oven toasting). I became well acquainted with the electric mixer and the preparation Cocomalt. Gained about 10 lbs in that 6 weeks, if I remember correctly.
Aunt Louise started the day with a glass of warm water. (Kept her intestines open, she said.) Uncle Harry would frequently start the day tossing the contents of water glasses back and forth with a mixture which bubbled and frothed. (Alka Seltzer?) Fascinating!
Aunt Louise ministered to me when I relieved Uncle Harry's humidor of an extra cigar and it punished me for my iniquity. (She never made a public announcement, either!)
She also introduced me to the idea of multiple changes of clothing in a single day. I'd never had that many clothes before. (Uncle Harry took me to the store and purchased a complete outfit for me.) The particular day Aunt Louise and I came head to head was when she made me change my clothes to go to an evening meal at the Country Club. I didn't see the purpose. Eventually I relented. I think of that incident frequently when I change my clothes for the 4th or 5th time in a day now.
I saw Uncle Harry when he was on his death bed. I shook his hand heartily, and he winced. ---Talk about a lasting memory! That made me a kindlier, gentler soul the rest of my life!
In case you didn't know, Uncle Harry died of septicemia after hernia repair. The latest medicine available was used including some Sulfa to no avail. The sepsis made him tender all over.
Shortly after that came college, med school, marriage and the peripatetic life of our generation, so I never saw much of Aunt Louise after that, although she did attend my high school graduation. We did see her enough so Ruth had the opportunity to see her and like her and we named our oldest daughter
after her. A real gem of a person was Aunt Louise!
I feel very chagrinned that I do not know more about Aunt Louise and her family. I never heard her mention her parents or siblings. There is a street in Batavia called Buell Street and I remember Mother's telling me it was named for Aunt Louise's family, and that Aunt Louise grew up in Batavia.
I would guess that the name Bull is German and the name is the Anglification of the word which is unpronounceable in English and so is modified to become bull, buell, buhl, beel, beal, etc. Kuhl has a similar problem and is spelled kuhl, cool, kuhel, kuehl, etc..
In fact, in McAllen there was a family named "Bull", by the father, but the daughter had it changed to
Buell.
Love!
Ivan W. Kuhl B 2 Dec 1920
Anna Louise Buell Chaddock B 17 Feb 1876 D 21 Feb 1962
My association with Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise was unique in that in 1933 I spent six weeks with them and attended school in Perry. Lois was like my big sister so I would frequently carry her books home from school, (Something had come up!). She was very popular in High School and was very active! I was happy to have a Big Sister. Made me special!
At that time I became acquainted with "Little Orphan Annie" and "Jack Armstrong , the All American Boy" which programs were on the radio when I arrived "at home". The brushy river bank became a first class place to chase bad guys and Indians and such(I was 12). ( Radio was not a part of home in Batavia, especially a console as Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise had).
Aunt Louise is the only person I ever knew who made toast in the oven with a pop-up toaster across the room. They also had a "flip-over "toaster . Also frequently ignored.
Cinnamon toast was an appreciated by-product (of the oven toasting). I became well acquainted with the electric mixer and the preparation Cocomalt. Gained about 10 lbs in that 6 weeks, if I remember correctly.
Aunt Louise started the day with a glass of warm water. (Kept her intestines open, she said.) Uncle Harry would frequently start the day tossing the contents of water glasses back and forth with a mixture which bubbled and frothed. (Alka Seltzer?) Fascinating!
Aunt Louise ministered to me when I relieved Uncle Harry's humidor of an extra cigar and it punished me for my iniquity. (She never made a public announcement, either!)
She also introduced me to the idea of multiple changes of clothing in a single day. I'd never had that many clothes before. (Uncle Harry took me to the store and purchased a complete outfit for me.) The particular day Aunt Louise and I came head to head was when she made me change my clothes to go to an evening meal at the Country Club. I didn't see the purpose. Eventually I relented. I think of that incident frequently when I change my clothes for the 4th or 5th time in a day now.
I saw Uncle Harry when he was on his death bed. I shook his hand heartily, and he winced. ---Talk about a lasting memory! That made me a kindlier, gentler soul the rest of my life!
In case you didn't know, Uncle Harry died of septicemia after hernia repair. The latest medicine available was used including some Sulfa to no avail. The sepsis made him tender all over.
Shortly after that came college, med school, marriage and the peripatetic life of our generation, so I never saw much of Aunt Louise after that, although she did attend my high school graduation. We did see her enough so Ruth had the opportunity to see her and like her and we named our oldest daughter
after her. A real gem of a person was Aunt Louise!
I feel very chagrinned that I do not know more about Aunt Louise and her family. I never heard her mention her parents or siblings. There is a street in Batavia called Buell Street and I remember Mother's telling me it was named for Aunt Louise's family, and that Aunt Louise grew up in Batavia.
I would guess that the name Bull is German and the name is the Anglification of the word which is unpronounceable in English and so is modified to become bull, buell, buhl, beel, beal, etc. Kuhl has a similar problem and is spelled kuhl, cool, kuhel, kuehl, etc..
In fact, in McAllen there was a family named "Bull", by the father, but the daughter had it changed to
Buell.
Love!
Ivan W. Kuhl B 2 Dec 1920
Bio-Chaddock,Harry #4 (Lila)Contd
One other musical reflection. The Chaddocks had a player piano which was fascinating to our family. Occasionally, they would play a few rolls for our entertainment. I wish I had that player piano right now! The sad part is that , many years later,if I had mentioned it, they probably would have given it to me! Perhaps they didn't know my special leaning toward the field of music. Nevertheless, it never occurred to me to ask about it until it was too late. The piano as gone, and I never knew where it went.
We often had Thanksgiving dinner at he Chaddocks in Perry, and we did so enjoy that! The dinner was the usual juicy turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, pickles, cranberry sauce, rolls. Our supper however, was varied. Sometimes it was macaroni and cheese, or spaghetti, often cheese souffle', which my mother always made. Yummy!
I recall just seeing Uncle Harry once when he was very ill, in bed, at his home. We all knew he was not going to live long. He was so ill that his daughter Fran's wedding was held in their own living room, with very few attending. His illness had to do with lung congestion or something of that sort. There was no cure at that time, a very few years later, a sulfa drug was discovered and undoubtedly would have saved him. So sad. He was much loved by all.
Aunt Louise lived for many years. After their home was sold, she lived in nursing homes, in or near Perry. She came to our hame at 150 Trumbull Pkwy. in Batavia one Thanksgiving, her last, I believe. Ham drove through a snowstorm to and from the Warsaw Nursing Home to have her join us.
An important part of the story of Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise was, of course, their two wonderful daughters, Frances Chaddock Lawrence and Lois Chaddock Hayden. They were quite a few years older than Velma and I, and were not a huge part of these particular memories of my aunt and uncle.
In a simpler time when we were young, Velma's and my experiences with our Perry aunt and uncle couldn't have been more special in our lives. Would that all children have dear "older" family members who might leave them wonderful memories, like our Aunt Louise and Uncle Harry.
Fondly,
Lila B - 10 Sept 1928
We often had Thanksgiving dinner at he Chaddocks in Perry, and we did so enjoy that! The dinner was the usual juicy turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, pickles, cranberry sauce, rolls. Our supper however, was varied. Sometimes it was macaroni and cheese, or spaghetti, often cheese souffle', which my mother always made. Yummy!
I recall just seeing Uncle Harry once when he was very ill, in bed, at his home. We all knew he was not going to live long. He was so ill that his daughter Fran's wedding was held in their own living room, with very few attending. His illness had to do with lung congestion or something of that sort. There was no cure at that time, a very few years later, a sulfa drug was discovered and undoubtedly would have saved him. So sad. He was much loved by all.
Aunt Louise lived for many years. After their home was sold, she lived in nursing homes, in or near Perry. She came to our hame at 150 Trumbull Pkwy. in Batavia one Thanksgiving, her last, I believe. Ham drove through a snowstorm to and from the Warsaw Nursing Home to have her join us.
An important part of the story of Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise was, of course, their two wonderful daughters, Frances Chaddock Lawrence and Lois Chaddock Hayden. They were quite a few years older than Velma and I, and were not a huge part of these particular memories of my aunt and uncle.
In a simpler time when we were young, Velma's and my experiences with our Perry aunt and uncle couldn't have been more special in our lives. Would that all children have dear "older" family members who might leave them wonderful memories, like our Aunt Louise and Uncle Harry.
Fondly,
Lila B - 10 Sept 1928
Monday, September 19, 2011
Bio- Chaddock, Harry #4 (Lila)
Remembrances of Harry Chaddock and his wife, Anna Louise Chaddock
It's funny how certain seemingly uneventful things from one's childhood lodge themselves in the memory so vividly, it's as though they happened just yesterday . My recollections of Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise Chaddock are like that.
Uncle Harry, I recall, was talkative and friendly, always warm toward our family especially Florence, his sister, our mom. He quietly commanded immediate respect, and was a very successful businessman. Uncle Harry owned a hardware store about in the middle of Main Street on the west side, in Perry, NY. He always brought us something when he visited us in Batavia, usually something from his store, such as skates, sleds or a wagon. If there were no gifts he would say to us , "You'll find something out in the car."and after Velma and I had sat quietly, being the good little girls that we were, we hurried out to his car and often found a box of candy. That was such an exciting gift for us; treats for a family that never had any money to spare, from a dear uncle who, in our minds, was rich!
Aunt Louise was quiet and sophisticated, never temperamental, and never silly. She seemed the same all the time, always the perfect lady. We loved their house on Dolbeer Street in Perry, with its carpeted staircase leading up to the four bedrooms, which were always in perfect order. Aunt Louise had a built in enclosed glass cupboard in the corner of the dining room, filled with dishes. There was always a dish of candy in there, which Velma and I checked out each visit. Again, being very polite, we never asked for any candy, but Aunt Louise never forgot to quietly offer it to us. Instant smiles!
I recall one time I visited Aunt Louise by myself , without Velma. She must have been at a camp of some kind. Aunt Louise and I went downtown to buy a new dress for me. I was thrilled! We bought a new slip, underwear, socks, maybe shoes and a beige dress. The dress had white eyelet edging around the neck, and delicate blue flowers all over the pretty material! I was absolutely delighted! I may have been only about four years old, but I felt guilty that Velma didn't have new clothes, too. Also, at that visit, I remember Aunt Louise and me. just the two of us, sitting at the big dining room table. Our dinner has half of a chicken for each of us! It was one of those "little chickens" but but it felt such a grown -up dinner for me alone!
On this visit alone to Perry, I remember going out the back door where the mint was growing. Aaunt Louise and I picked the mint leaves, which she cooked and somehow made it into mint sauce. It was always served with lamb, and I still expect to enjoy it anytime I have lamb dinner, which is rare!
Once, when Velma and I visited Perry, there was another guest there, a Mr Watrous, who played an instrument called the "Theremin". It was a box-like electric instrument about 12" square, with 2 metal rods sticking out from the sides. One rod went straight up, and the other curved out and back in the left side of the box. He played the instrument using both hands, moving them up and down the rods in the
air, never touching the instrument. One hand controlled the pitch and the other, the volume. Obviously, it was played entirely by ear, having no keys or pedals at all It made a lovely sound. but sadly, the only time in my life that i ever saw or heard that strange instrument.
It's funny how certain seemingly uneventful things from one's childhood lodge themselves in the memory so vividly, it's as though they happened just yesterday . My recollections of Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise Chaddock are like that.
Uncle Harry, I recall, was talkative and friendly, always warm toward our family especially Florence, his sister, our mom. He quietly commanded immediate respect, and was a very successful businessman. Uncle Harry owned a hardware store about in the middle of Main Street on the west side, in Perry, NY. He always brought us something when he visited us in Batavia, usually something from his store, such as skates, sleds or a wagon. If there were no gifts he would say to us , "You'll find something out in the car."and after Velma and I had sat quietly, being the good little girls that we were, we hurried out to his car and often found a box of candy. That was such an exciting gift for us; treats for a family that never had any money to spare, from a dear uncle who, in our minds, was rich!
Aunt Louise was quiet and sophisticated, never temperamental, and never silly. She seemed the same all the time, always the perfect lady. We loved their house on Dolbeer Street in Perry, with its carpeted staircase leading up to the four bedrooms, which were always in perfect order. Aunt Louise had a built in enclosed glass cupboard in the corner of the dining room, filled with dishes. There was always a dish of candy in there, which Velma and I checked out each visit. Again, being very polite, we never asked for any candy, but Aunt Louise never forgot to quietly offer it to us. Instant smiles!
I recall one time I visited Aunt Louise by myself , without Velma. She must have been at a camp of some kind. Aunt Louise and I went downtown to buy a new dress for me. I was thrilled! We bought a new slip, underwear, socks, maybe shoes and a beige dress. The dress had white eyelet edging around the neck, and delicate blue flowers all over the pretty material! I was absolutely delighted! I may have been only about four years old, but I felt guilty that Velma didn't have new clothes, too. Also, at that visit, I remember Aunt Louise and me. just the two of us, sitting at the big dining room table. Our dinner has half of a chicken for each of us! It was one of those "little chickens" but but it felt such a grown -up dinner for me alone!
On this visit alone to Perry, I remember going out the back door where the mint was growing. Aaunt Louise and I picked the mint leaves, which she cooked and somehow made it into mint sauce. It was always served with lamb, and I still expect to enjoy it anytime I have lamb dinner, which is rare!
Once, when Velma and I visited Perry, there was another guest there, a Mr Watrous, who played an instrument called the "Theremin". It was a box-like electric instrument about 12" square, with 2 metal rods sticking out from the sides. One rod went straight up, and the other curved out and back in the left side of the box. He played the instrument using both hands, moving them up and down the rods in the
air, never touching the instrument. One hand controlled the pitch and the other, the volume. Obviously, it was played entirely by ear, having no keys or pedals at all It made a lovely sound. but sadly, the only time in my life that i ever saw or heard that strange instrument.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Chaddock-Bio-Uncle Harry#2 (Cont'd)(Velma)
One day Lila and I collected a bunch of small rocks and put them on the porch. I was on the porch and she was at the foot of the porch steps. Aunt Louise came out and ordered me to get the rocks off the porch so I started to throw them in the alley. I told Lila to get out of the way or I would hit her with a rock. And she didn't and I did! To this day she bears the scar of that day , on the lip where it was split with the rock!!
Cousin Frances was married a few weeks before Uncle Harry died. Lila and I were flower girls and Auntie Florence had made our beautiful long dresses. The church was cancelled and Fran and Bob were married at home where Uncle Harry could attend lying in hospital bed set up in the living room. The bridesmaids didn't attend but Lila and I in our lovely dresses did. I'm sure Aunt Louise is the one who said we should be there because the dresses were made and she knew how excited we'd been about the wedding ! Ivan has his own story about the wedding! (I tossed some confetti in the driver's side window, Bob ducked and sustained a cut above the eyebrow from the rear view mirror. I don't throw anything at weddings since then. -Ivan)
11 Dolbeer was never the same after that without Uncle Harry. He was full of life and enthusiasm. Aunt Louise was more staid and proper, a real lady. Without a word from her you were always on your best behavior.
The last time I saw her alive was in a nursing home in Wyoming(NY). By the the she died she had outlived all her friends, and her funeral was sparsely attended.
I never heard that she had any siblings. When we were in St. Cloud, Florida for the winter when I was about 5, we went to visit Mrs Buell., Aunt Louise's mother. She was a very plump, unkempt woman and I couldn't connect her to Aunt Louise at all. (This was when IWK was at Perry school.)
Velma Dean Parry (minor editing by IWK)
Cousin Frances was married a few weeks before Uncle Harry died. Lila and I were flower girls and Auntie Florence had made our beautiful long dresses. The church was cancelled and Fran and Bob were married at home where Uncle Harry could attend lying in hospital bed set up in the living room. The bridesmaids didn't attend but Lila and I in our lovely dresses did. I'm sure Aunt Louise is the one who said we should be there because the dresses were made and she knew how excited we'd been about the wedding ! Ivan has his own story about the wedding! (I tossed some confetti in the driver's side window, Bob ducked and sustained a cut above the eyebrow from the rear view mirror. I don't throw anything at weddings since then. -Ivan)
11 Dolbeer was never the same after that without Uncle Harry. He was full of life and enthusiasm. Aunt Louise was more staid and proper, a real lady. Without a word from her you were always on your best behavior.
The last time I saw her alive was in a nursing home in Wyoming(NY). By the the she died she had outlived all her friends, and her funeral was sparsely attended.
I never heard that she had any siblings. When we were in St. Cloud, Florida for the winter when I was about 5, we went to visit Mrs Buell., Aunt Louise's mother. She was a very plump, unkempt woman and I couldn't connect her to Aunt Louise at all. (This was when IWK was at Perry school.)
Velma Dean Parry (minor editing by IWK)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Chaddock-Bio-Uncle Harry#2 (Velma)
Lila and I weren't aware of the depression and how poor we were, but we did know that a trip to see Uncle Harry and Aunt Louise was to enter a different world where everything was perfect and plentiful. 11 Dolbeer Street!
We could go out the back door and pick mint leaves right by the steps for iced tea. The stairs up to the bedrooms had grey thick carpeting-luxurious! And in the 2nd living room (parlor) there was a player piano which was magical to us! Lila and I could make music almost as good as Mother did! We loved to sit in the glass-enclosed front porch. I think Uncle Harry was allowed to smoke there. I used to go to the ash tray and sniff. There began my life-long love of nicotine!
I only remember staying there once for a week. Aunt Louise told us to get whatever cereal we wanted from the cupboard one morning and I found some Grape Nuts-that smelled so good! Not the flakes but the little pebble-like Grape Nuts that we never had at home. So I ate a huge bowlful and paid for it with awful cramps and diarrhea.
The dining room had a built-in cupboard, in one drawer of which she kept candy. Aunt Louise would give us permission and we would pick out some luscious candy, which was a rare treat. Even chocolates-we never had those at home. To this day I have a candy drawer for my grandchildren.
The hardware store. Wow! And it was all Uncle Harry's! Don't know why, but I always loved the nail bins that I'd stick my hands in and let the nails run through my fingers. But the best was Uncle Harry's taking us to the ice cream parlor across the street, not for a cone, but for a sundae! Nowadays kids can't imagine what a treat that was! A cone at 5 cents and a sundae at 15 cents.
I remember Uncle Harry's giving us a sled one Christmas, -and another skates!
We were a family who loved to eat and all the women were great cooks. We not only had Thanksgiving dinner, but Thanksgiving supper. It was always (supper) scalloped oysters except one year at Aunt Louise's. Cousin Lawrence (Uncle Arthur's son) wanted something different, so he made spaghetti and meat balls. It didn't go over too well, and the next year it was back to scalloped oysters. Of course cranberry sauce was a must, -and I still make it every year no matter at whose house we spend the day.
The cottage at Silver Lake. Big and wonderful with an upstairs porch where we could sleep outdoors! And I always think of watermelons in connection with the cottage. I'm sure Ivan and Cousin Bobby(Uncle Floyd's son) started a watermelon seed fight. What fun-- --and what a mess! Aunt Louise didn't stop it, but she left no doubt as to whose job the clean up was !
We could go out the back door and pick mint leaves right by the steps for iced tea. The stairs up to the bedrooms had grey thick carpeting-luxurious! And in the 2nd living room (parlor) there was a player piano which was magical to us! Lila and I could make music almost as good as Mother did! We loved to sit in the glass-enclosed front porch. I think Uncle Harry was allowed to smoke there. I used to go to the ash tray and sniff. There began my life-long love of nicotine!
I only remember staying there once for a week. Aunt Louise told us to get whatever cereal we wanted from the cupboard one morning and I found some Grape Nuts-that smelled so good! Not the flakes but the little pebble-like Grape Nuts that we never had at home. So I ate a huge bowlful and paid for it with awful cramps and diarrhea.
The dining room had a built-in cupboard, in one drawer of which she kept candy. Aunt Louise would give us permission and we would pick out some luscious candy, which was a rare treat. Even chocolates-we never had those at home. To this day I have a candy drawer for my grandchildren.
The hardware store. Wow! And it was all Uncle Harry's! Don't know why, but I always loved the nail bins that I'd stick my hands in and let the nails run through my fingers. But the best was Uncle Harry's taking us to the ice cream parlor across the street, not for a cone, but for a sundae! Nowadays kids can't imagine what a treat that was! A cone at 5 cents and a sundae at 15 cents.
I remember Uncle Harry's giving us a sled one Christmas, -and another skates!
We were a family who loved to eat and all the women were great cooks. We not only had Thanksgiving dinner, but Thanksgiving supper. It was always (supper) scalloped oysters except one year at Aunt Louise's. Cousin Lawrence (Uncle Arthur's son) wanted something different, so he made spaghetti and meat balls. It didn't go over too well, and the next year it was back to scalloped oysters. Of course cranberry sauce was a must, -and I still make it every year no matter at whose house we spend the day.
The cottage at Silver Lake. Big and wonderful with an upstairs porch where we could sleep outdoors! And I always think of watermelons in connection with the cottage. I'm sure Ivan and Cousin Bobby(Uncle Floyd's son) started a watermelon seed fight. What fun-- --and what a mess! Aunt Louise didn't stop it, but she left no doubt as to whose job the clean up was !
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Chaddock-Bio-Uncle Harry #1 (Ivan)
Uncle Harry was the oldest of the four. There were three boys and my mother, who was almost exactly 20 years younger than Harry. --Undoubtedly a surprise baby! As such she was Harry's baby sister and their lives turned out to be closer than the others.
When Mother was in high school she had what was called "a nervous breakdown" and never finished high school, and after an interval, joined Harry as a bookkeeper at the store. She stayed there a year or two, then she went back to Batavia, where she commuted to a position as the bookkeeper for the Bonalevo Farms which was on the Attica road. There she met my father who was the Assistant Manager, but that is another story!
Harry had a hardware store on Main Street in Perry, "H.H.Chaddock Hardware" for about 35 years. He had played football for Batavia High School and was well known in Batavia. His store weathered the depression adequately, up to the time of his death. He and Aunt Louise belonged to the Country Club, although to my knowledge he did not play golf.
Uncle Harry was Bob Chaddock's and my "rich uncle". At 11 Dolbeer Street in Perry appeared the first pop-up toaster, electric mixer, the first electric refrigerator, the first console radio, the first Willys-Knight, the first Buick, the first chocolate mousse(refrigerator prepared) in the family. Toss salad was first served there in my memory, as the first cranberry sauce as(opposed to cranberry jelly). I'm sure there many other items in this category, but this is the memory of teen-ager, at the time.
The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays were rotated among the family homes. One of my outstanding memories was at 11 Dolbeer, when Lois, Lawrence and I cranked and cranked to no avail to solidify the sherbet. Finally, one of us tasted the slush, which as sweet as could be. The house had been out of rock salt so sugar hd ben substituted thinking it had been salt! After that the sherbet sure tasted delicious, when it was finally ready!
One Christmas we were towed behind a car on the icy, slippery streets of Perry on sleds which must have been Lois' and/or Frances'. We survived! Once "sugaring off" was the occasion for a lasting memory.
Uncle Harry had nicknames for most of us. Mine was "Skeezix"after the character of the same name in the comic, "Gasoline Alley". It seemed that as an infant I had had a curl in the center of my scalp, which resembled that of Skeezix.
Lois was called "Goody Two Shoes" after her thump-thump coming down the thickly carpeted stairs as a toddler. Fran undoubtedly had one but she was old enough that I was not exposed to it.
Harry Hiram Chaddock B- 11 Jul 1878 D- 11 Jul 1937
Anna Louise Buell Chaddock B-17 Feb 1876 D 21 Feb 1962
When Mother was in high school she had what was called "a nervous breakdown" and never finished high school, and after an interval, joined Harry as a bookkeeper at the store. She stayed there a year or two, then she went back to Batavia, where she commuted to a position as the bookkeeper for the Bonalevo Farms which was on the Attica road. There she met my father who was the Assistant Manager, but that is another story!
Harry had a hardware store on Main Street in Perry, "H.H.Chaddock Hardware" for about 35 years. He had played football for Batavia High School and was well known in Batavia. His store weathered the depression adequately, up to the time of his death. He and Aunt Louise belonged to the Country Club, although to my knowledge he did not play golf.
Uncle Harry was Bob Chaddock's and my "rich uncle". At 11 Dolbeer Street in Perry appeared the first pop-up toaster, electric mixer, the first electric refrigerator, the first console radio, the first Willys-Knight, the first Buick, the first chocolate mousse(refrigerator prepared) in the family. Toss salad was first served there in my memory, as the first cranberry sauce as(opposed to cranberry jelly). I'm sure there many other items in this category, but this is the memory of teen-ager, at the time.
The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays were rotated among the family homes. One of my outstanding memories was at 11 Dolbeer, when Lois, Lawrence and I cranked and cranked to no avail to solidify the sherbet. Finally, one of us tasted the slush, which as sweet as could be. The house had been out of rock salt so sugar hd ben substituted thinking it had been salt! After that the sherbet sure tasted delicious, when it was finally ready!
One Christmas we were towed behind a car on the icy, slippery streets of Perry on sleds which must have been Lois' and/or Frances'. We survived! Once "sugaring off" was the occasion for a lasting memory.
Uncle Harry had nicknames for most of us. Mine was "Skeezix"after the character of the same name in the comic, "Gasoline Alley". It seemed that as an infant I had had a curl in the center of my scalp, which resembled that of Skeezix.
Lois was called "Goody Two Shoes" after her thump-thump coming down the thickly carpeted stairs as a toddler. Fran undoubtedly had one but she was old enough that I was not exposed to it.
Harry Hiram Chaddock B- 11 Jul 1878 D- 11 Jul 1937
Anna Louise Buell Chaddock B-17 Feb 1876 D 21 Feb 1962
Thursday, September 1, 2011
"Muffets"-Batavia, NY
As we get older we all have things that pop up in our "heads" and we wonder --- "What was the real story?"
"Googling" brought some details of an old story percolating in my mind from time to time. The story that I had in mind was somewhat "garbled". "Googling" took off some of the mystery. Now I can tell the story, leaving out most of the false parts of the tale.
It seems that the "Ross Food Company" manufactured a "breakfast biscuit" so closely resembling Shredded Wheat that the latter company sued, -and after about 5 years, won.
In the meantime Scott Perky dreamed up another form. The fabric of the"muffet" had a similar consistency to shredded wheat, but was circular, -about 4"in diameter and 1 1/2 inches thick. and cookie-like in shape. Things were going well and Mr. Perky wanted to expand. He already had about 40 people employed at that time.
On 29 September 1925 the plans came to a violent end when fire started in the elevator shaft of the manufacturing site and spread rapidly to the wooden building leading to total destruction.
" What's that got to do with you, Grandpa? "
" Well, one of my earliest memories is of tall, massive, wild red and yellow flames with black skeletons of wood moving back and forth in the flames beyond the trees in the foreground. That was "the Muffet
fire" in my memory.
We were out on Walnut Street and my stepfather was mentioning that the fire might be a result of a legal battle. As an insurance man he was very conscious of that possibility. -- To my knowledge no arson was proven, nor was the possibility explored with legal actions considered.
So much for "the muffet fire". I presume there is no more to the story. What do you think?
"Googling" brought some details of an old story percolating in my mind from time to time. The story that I had in mind was somewhat "garbled". "Googling" took off some of the mystery. Now I can tell the story, leaving out most of the false parts of the tale.
It seems that the "Ross Food Company" manufactured a "breakfast biscuit" so closely resembling Shredded Wheat that the latter company sued, -and after about 5 years, won.
In the meantime Scott Perky dreamed up another form. The fabric of the"muffet" had a similar consistency to shredded wheat, but was circular, -about 4"in diameter and 1 1/2 inches thick. and cookie-like in shape. Things were going well and Mr. Perky wanted to expand. He already had about 40 people employed at that time.
On 29 September 1925 the plans came to a violent end when fire started in the elevator shaft of the manufacturing site and spread rapidly to the wooden building leading to total destruction.
" What's that got to do with you, Grandpa? "
" Well, one of my earliest memories is of tall, massive, wild red and yellow flames with black skeletons of wood moving back and forth in the flames beyond the trees in the foreground. That was "the Muffet
fire" in my memory.
We were out on Walnut Street and my stepfather was mentioning that the fire might be a result of a legal battle. As an insurance man he was very conscious of that possibility. -- To my knowledge no arson was proven, nor was the possibility explored with legal actions considered.
So much for "the muffet fire". I presume there is no more to the story. What do you think?
Friday, August 26, 2011
Guapo
We all tend to give human characteristics to animals at times. Whether the "characteristics" are the result of their thinking or of their reflexes, etc. is a great debate.
This story might better be called "Brief Encounter" ," Fall Follies" , "Autumn Anxieties" , but "Guapo " keeps us from committing to a side.
One of the ranches we hunted at regularly, belonged to Tomas V. ---He was related somehow to Bob's wife,--but that gave us the "open sesame". The ranch house was a nice frame house with rather extensive lawn and driveways. It was about 2 mi. from Rte 281,with a caliche connecting road. Tomas and his wife had raised their boys,there and were considering moving. These factors helped to "open the door".
After arrival we would go to the home and offer some groceries---Mrs V especially liked bananas. After a brief chat we would start quail hunting. --walking the fence line in back of the house about a quarter of a mile, making a U turn and returning on the next fence line which ended up about 200 yds from the original path.
In addition to the fields there was a small pond(tank). After the "quail walk", time had usually elapsed so it was late enough to start dove hunting.
On the particular days involved in this story, a large retriever type of dog had appeared and greeted us effusively. --He was white with brown and black, so he appeared dirty , no matter what. As a result he was called "Guapo" --which means "handsome"( -with an ironic twist).
Bob, Nick and I established ourselves and started shooting. -A peculiar thing happened.- Guapo brought all the downed birds to me no matter the source. After a while" Dr.A" appeared and the same phenomenon persisted. Guapo became busier and busier with 4 shooters, and my "stack" became higher and higher. -I then became busier and busier returning birds. Doing more returning than shooting. In fact, the second time, John was with us and was kept busy with his "return mail". Guapo persisted, despite my efforts to discourage him.
The only potential other problem was that should the representative of the Fish and Wildlife Dept. there would be a long "discussion" with a lot of "Yeah,! Yeah!- I've heard that one before," type of things. But it didn't happen!
This activity continued for about three sessions, Tomas was becoming more and more obviously disturbed with each session.
About two weeks after we decided to go to another site to avoid problems with Guapo(and Tomas)
Tomas pulled us over on the highway. "Where's Guapo?"was his insistent cry. --We haven't seen him since 2 weeks ago Wednesday. "
" Let me look at your pick up !"He did , found nothing and went away grumbling, "That's what you get when you let city guys hunt on your land!"
The dog had disappeared the day after we had been there last and hadn't (hasn't) been seen since!
"Ay, Que Guapo!!"
This story might better be called "Brief Encounter" ," Fall Follies" , "Autumn Anxieties" , but "Guapo " keeps us from committing to a side.
One of the ranches we hunted at regularly, belonged to Tomas V. ---He was related somehow to Bob's wife,--but that gave us the "open sesame". The ranch house was a nice frame house with rather extensive lawn and driveways. It was about 2 mi. from Rte 281,with a caliche connecting road. Tomas and his wife had raised their boys,there and were considering moving. These factors helped to "open the door".
After arrival we would go to the home and offer some groceries---Mrs V especially liked bananas. After a brief chat we would start quail hunting. --walking the fence line in back of the house about a quarter of a mile, making a U turn and returning on the next fence line which ended up about 200 yds from the original path.
In addition to the fields there was a small pond(tank). After the "quail walk", time had usually elapsed so it was late enough to start dove hunting.
On the particular days involved in this story, a large retriever type of dog had appeared and greeted us effusively. --He was white with brown and black, so he appeared dirty , no matter what. As a result he was called "Guapo" --which means "handsome"( -with an ironic twist).
Bob, Nick and I established ourselves and started shooting. -A peculiar thing happened.- Guapo brought all the downed birds to me no matter the source. After a while" Dr.A" appeared and the same phenomenon persisted. Guapo became busier and busier with 4 shooters, and my "stack" became higher and higher. -I then became busier and busier returning birds. Doing more returning than shooting. In fact, the second time, John was with us and was kept busy with his "return mail". Guapo persisted, despite my efforts to discourage him.
The only potential other problem was that should the representative of the Fish and Wildlife Dept. there would be a long "discussion" with a lot of "Yeah,! Yeah!- I've heard that one before," type of things. But it didn't happen!
This activity continued for about three sessions, Tomas was becoming more and more obviously disturbed with each session.
About two weeks after we decided to go to another site to avoid problems with Guapo(and Tomas)
Tomas pulled us over on the highway. "Where's Guapo?"was his insistent cry. --We haven't seen him since 2 weeks ago Wednesday. "
" Let me look at your pick up !"He did , found nothing and went away grumbling, "That's what you get when you let city guys hunt on your land!"
The dog had disappeared the day after we had been there last and hadn't (hasn't) been seen since!
"Ay, Que Guapo!!"
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Music-Chaddock, Dean, etc Families-Contd #4
Currently, Sally's daughter and our only granddaughter, Emily is the shining star. She began piano lessons in second grade, as she learned to read. Now 17, she is a senior in high school, and has become a fine pianist. She has accompanied the Senior Chorus at her high school (starting as a sophomore), and has composed several piano selections. She has recently wrote a choral number, to be sung "a capella". She taught it to the Chorus and it was presented at their spring concert at Centerville High School. The name of the poem (borrowed) and set to music is "The Genesis of the Butterfly". You can imagine the growth and swelling of the music as the ugly little worm develops slowly one part at a time and evolves into a lovely butterfly. Emily will be a senior in 2011-2012 and hopes to study music composition in college. I feel certain that she will receive a scholarship for her music, after having become a fine pianist, a fledgling composer and developing a lovely soprano voice. This summer Emily was one of 50 students from Virginia, to attend a 5 week Governor's School at Radford College to further her already very special talent.
Emily is the "today" of music in our family, and is a beautiful example of the continued result of the development of music abilities, throughout our recent history. The tradition of music which began with a "play it and sing it by ear" family of would be musicians, playing just for fun at Uncle Floyd's farm (circa 1930) lands us here with Emily, embarking on a formal education in music, following in the footsteps of her grandmother Hamilton and great grandmother (Chaddock Kuhl) Dean. She is the culmination of many years of a variety of musical experiences throughout our family tree!
My apologies to any other "musical outcroppings" of the Chaddock or Dean families that I either didn't know about or have forgotten! With loving memories, Lila Ruth Dean Hamilton
Comment- I too should apologize for my off-handed dismissal of our Kuhl talent. I neglected to call attention to many children and grandchildren who have participated in various scholastic programs. The outstanding performer -That I know of, has been Peter, who as a member of "The March On Brothers" played guitar and sang his way through much of Texas. I guess I put our talent, mentally with my accomplishment at the piano. "Doctor, Doctor " with difficulties. I am wrong! (It isn't the first time I've erred-undoubtedly not the last, either!) SORRY!
Emily is the "today" of music in our family, and is a beautiful example of the continued result of the development of music abilities, throughout our recent history. The tradition of music which began with a "play it and sing it by ear" family of would be musicians, playing just for fun at Uncle Floyd's farm (circa 1930) lands us here with Emily, embarking on a formal education in music, following in the footsteps of her grandmother Hamilton and great grandmother (Chaddock Kuhl) Dean. She is the culmination of many years of a variety of musical experiences throughout our family tree!
My apologies to any other "musical outcroppings" of the Chaddock or Dean families that I either didn't know about or have forgotten! With loving memories, Lila Ruth Dean Hamilton
Comment- I too should apologize for my off-handed dismissal of our Kuhl talent. I neglected to call attention to many children and grandchildren who have participated in various scholastic programs. The outstanding performer -That I know of, has been Peter, who as a member of "The March On Brothers" played guitar and sang his way through much of Texas. I guess I put our talent, mentally with my accomplishment at the piano. "Doctor, Doctor " with difficulties. I am wrong! (It isn't the first time I've erred-undoubtedly not the last, either!) SORRY!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Music-Chaddock, Dean, etc. Families #3
Music has continued to be a part of the lives of our families through our children and grandchildren. Following Velma's talents, her daughter Maryl sang a fine alto in the church choir and Bronwyn taught herself to play the guitar. On one occasion when the girls were very young, all of Velma and Lila's 6 girls sang "Do Re Mi" from "The Sound of Music"at a church function, with the youngest, Megan climbing up and down the steps as we sang . Bronwyn's son Bill, was an outstanding member of his Henrietta High School chorus . Her son Ray, has gone into the field of "Electronic Music and Amplification" after graduating from SUNY at Fredonia.
On the Hamilton side of the family, Wendy and Amy were flutists, and Sally played the drums in the junior high band. She played the little cymbals in the marching band because she was too small to carry the big ones. All three girls sang in the school choruses and their church choirs. Wendy went on to become the captain of the color guard in the junior and senior marching bands. Amy carried on with her flute and the piccolo through high school. I recall practicing with her the tough piccolo solo in "Stars and Stripes Forever" I could barely keep up with her on the piano!
The grandsons have all taken and instrument of some kind throughout their school years and participated in their junior high school bands.
Wendy's son Josh, now a pilot in the Air Force has played drums and other percussion instruments throughout his junior high, high school and college years. He was assistant to director of the Air Force Academy Band as well as percussion section leader. His responsibilities included seeing to it that all instruments were at the right places at the right times as well as the personnel for trips to the A F Academy football games and other performances. Josh himself is an expert drummer and played the "quads" (5 drums) in the Air Force Academy Band and the famous AF Drumline.
Amy'a son Andrew is also a fist rate drummer. We live with his drum set in our family room. He played in the BHS Marching Band, the concert and jazz bands, the drumline and the orchestra. now he plays with the music of "the Big Bands" and headphones.
On the Hamilton side of the family, Wendy and Amy were flutists, and Sally played the drums in the junior high band. She played the little cymbals in the marching band because she was too small to carry the big ones. All three girls sang in the school choruses and their church choirs. Wendy went on to become the captain of the color guard in the junior and senior marching bands. Amy carried on with her flute and the piccolo through high school. I recall practicing with her the tough piccolo solo in "Stars and Stripes Forever" I could barely keep up with her on the piano!
The grandsons have all taken and instrument of some kind throughout their school years and participated in their junior high school bands.
Wendy's son Josh, now a pilot in the Air Force has played drums and other percussion instruments throughout his junior high, high school and college years. He was assistant to director of the Air Force Academy Band as well as percussion section leader. His responsibilities included seeing to it that all instruments were at the right places at the right times as well as the personnel for trips to the A F Academy football games and other performances. Josh himself is an expert drummer and played the "quads" (5 drums) in the Air Force Academy Band and the famous AF Drumline.
Amy'a son Andrew is also a fist rate drummer. We live with his drum set in our family room. He played in the BHS Marching Band, the concert and jazz bands, the drumline and the orchestra. now he plays with the music of "the Big Bands" and headphones.
Music of the Chaddock, Dean , etc. families. Contd. #2
The incident involved Mother and a pesky fly flitting over Mother's music as she played. She, of course, would brush it away, first with one hand, then the other, still keeping the song going. Finally, it became so hilarious to Velma and me that we "fell apart" laughing !The WBTA announcer interrupted announcing "technical difficulties", while Dad Dean sat at home listening and wondering what was going on. This was very funny to me then, and even now, I break out with at least a chuckle.
Our program was called "The Dean Sisters" and lasted until WBTA syndicated and joined a larger network. I still have a scratchy old record of some of our old songs in case for some reason we couldn't be there to sing. It was never used.
I graduated from the Crane School of Music, BS , MS, in Music Eduction , After teaching at Rye, NY for a year I taught at the Batavia and Oakfield public schools for 25 years. There I married a very successful PE teacher and coach, who taught in Oakfield where we met. We were married in a double wedding with my sister, Velma.
Our program was called "The Dean Sisters" and lasted until WBTA syndicated and joined a larger network. I still have a scratchy old record of some of our old songs in case for some reason we couldn't be there to sing. It was never used.
I graduated from the Crane School of Music, BS , MS, in Music Eduction , After teaching at Rye, NY for a year I taught at the Batavia and Oakfield public schools for 25 years. There I married a very successful PE teacher and coach, who taught in Oakfield where we met. We were married in a double wedding with my sister, Velma.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Grandpa Story-Lore?
Probably every family has its own stories about-"this and/ or that". For example my story about my unintentional damage to Bob Lawrence's eyebrow at the time of his wedding get-away. (Previously noted) Mary Kay and I went to "The Valley" last week where we kept our long friendship with the John Freeland family, went to Mexico to obtain some medicine, and checked with my long-time dentist.
The trip through territory travelled many times by Ruth and myself plus being near to areas where my hunting buddies, - Nick and Bob-and I hunted doves and quail multiple times over the years brought back many memories. -Some fleeting, others more ponderous.
Since no one in the family lives in the area any more, this (and others) could bring (perhaps) memories of our distant pasts(precious?). About 25 miles north of Edinburg on Rte 281, there is a slight curve with an "enclosed in the arc" rest area. This area is (was?) known as "Sarah's Curve) in Ruth's and my lingo.
About 40 years ago Paul brought his young bride to the home territory of the "Kuhl Klan". I'm sure Sarah took the trip with some trepidation. -- After all,this was foreign territory" where the average complexion was a faded milk chocolate hue and the people talked"funny". --Besides there were 10 of them (Kuhls), -- and she had only known them from thetime of a brief distraction called a wedding and a reception((back home in Wichita Falls).
Fortunately she had had a brief inoculation in San Antonio, -but this was 200 miles south!
From the house we took an orientation drive, and stopped at the gentle curve, (mentioned above). So, sitting to the other side of the fence was the King Ranch. --Closed off by the usual post and wire fence. The only wooden structure was at that time a stile at about the middle of the fence line. Which Sara sought promptly and sat down to relax and observe the ranch country.
She was no more than settled when I approached and said, " Sarah, did you read the sign?" "Umm, no!" She was sitting on the painted board so she bent over, craned her neck and suddenly burst forth with could best be described as a "Leaping Scream".
The sign said "BEWARE OF POISONOUS SNAKES!.
Don't ask her to do a "leaping scream" for you.. She won't!
My apologies, Sarah! Too good to keep!
Love , Grandpa
Monday, August 22, 2011
Hunting(Dove and Quail, Duck)
As usual, the context must be put in place before a story begins. Ruth's and my personal family histories of hunting in Upstate New York were of the sort that left a lot to be desired.
Ruth remembered going hunting ducks with her father, in a boat, --about the time he was about to shoot, she screamed.----That was the end of her hunting career with her father.
My stepfather had been hunting deer in the Adirondacks off and on for several seasons with a compatible group prior to his marriage, when one participant in the party shot another by mistake and that death finished hunting for him.
As for me, "hunting" was a word without true meaning. I " hunted Indians and bears " when my stepfather and sisters were in quarantine for "Scarlet Fever" and I was not allowed to attend school because of possible contagion. (Aside- believe me when your hunting bears and a pheasant takes off in a semi-dry cornfield you're sneaking along in, the explosion nearly incites instant diarrhea in a 10 yr. old ! --But it's all over in a couple seconds --and you're safe! Usually!)
My other "hunting exposure" was puzzlement at the desire of many schoolmates to get out ofschool for "pheasant season". This outcry usually took place during the World Series which we were allowed to listen to in the high school auditorium during our study hall periods should our teachers not object. The World Series was great to me! I didn't understand their problem!
Oh, incidentally, the city's leading ophthalmologist took off to hunt quail in South Carolina every fall. (What was his problem?)
With this rather negative background I arrived in The Valley in early 1954 following a history- making freeze and drought. I had no desire to get out in the rather tormented citrus groves and open grassy areas to shoot little birds.
Ta! Ta! Ta Ra! along came an insurance salesman who spotted a likely prospect and one who had little money (at that point) and "nothing but prospects". Needless to say he talked me into a policy or two in the years that followed, and into dove hunting, right then.
Dove hunting sounds rather ridiculous from the outside, but the little birds fly well and are smart. Even the best grouse and pheasant hunters find that 4 or 5 kills to a box of 20 shells is pretty good shooting. Therefore it is a challenge and extremely enjoyable as well as relatively inexpensive.
The season after my first dove hunt there were heavy rains in Starr County, making "pot holes" all over(for the ducks). After that season I went duck hunting only 4-5 times. The ducks were so large(compared to doves) that the chief problem was to find the sites to encounter the ducks to shoot at.
Getting out in the clean free air is a great improvement over the examining rooms and surgical theaters. Finding compatible hunters with similar free times is the biggest problem once hunting sites are located. Needless to say, I enjoyed it the rest of my life.
"Music"--Grandpa Story, "sort of" with added attractions
#1
Music
has always been a significant part of my life. This may seem strange to some of
my children (Hear them? Really!?!) Maybe
it's better said that music was always in the background. (Better?) Best to
understand any
story,
one must have the context for adequacy.
As the
younger generations may not know, I was an orphan of sorts. My father was
killed in an auto-train accident when I was only 13 months of age. As a result
my earliest "conscious" recollections have to do with my life with
the family of my mother- the "Walter H. Chaddock" family. As I
became older more "Kuhls became real" parts of my life , but as a
young child my associations were all with the " Chaddocks".
My
earliest fixed recollections are associated with the holiday get-togethers of
our small group and the other "Chaddocks". There were uncles (3),
aunts (3), cousins (4), Mother and Grandma. By that time Grandpa was gone.
(They
said I'd been his shadow, as a tot). After the mid-day holiday meal, the chairs
and small tables were pushed back to the wall or to the parlor, any way so the
festivities could begin!
Grandma
played the piano, my uncles all played the" Bones"and/ or the mouth
organ.-and so the music would begin! Piano tones, humming, mouth organ music,
dancing and the clacking of the "bones"--and we were off!
The
older couples began rather in a stately fashion, but soon, words filled the air
with such words as we'd never heard before! Schottisch, Reels, Waltzes, Fox
trots, and so on! We all made great efforts to dance, hum and other wise enjoy
ourselves. After a suitable time Mother and Grandma would switch(at the piano)
as would partners, etc. and things continued with giggles, squawks, squeals,
etc! -Taking over! This weird and wild showing would
last an
hour or so, then we all ran out of gas! The young folks were just catching on
and the old folks pooped! Sitting was a mistake! We all deflated like ballons
and giggled and laughed, etc,.etc.,and so to the nap department!
Another
happy holiday!
Mother
was a real legitimate musical person who had a fine soprano voice, played
"cello", piano and other instruments and taught piano lessons. The
family had been Presbyterians but she left the Presbyterian Choir to con- duct
and manage the choir at the Emmanuel Baptist Church and did so. I presume there
were sums of money involved, but that was never discussed in my presence. She
did her job well and after a length of time became en-
gaged
to Edward S. Dean, a member of that choir, whom she married. Her association
with the Emmanuel Baptist Choir continued….And so did I.
Mother
gave piano lessons, so scales and basic melodies were part of my life as I
looked over the bust of Beethoven on the piano. My personal introduction to
piano lessons lasted about two weeks. --The punting of the football in the
street was much more attractive to me than confinement to the piano bench and
rudimentary scales! To her credit she did not try to force me.
Lila
has consented to help me in this area. She was the most musical of our
generation , so I feel she should "Give a good go" to us!
I will
return to continue with the "Kuhl Family Music" Involving schools,
and the rest as it unrolls!
.
Love,"
Grandpa"
Music Grandpa Story, "Sort of"-
Scholastic-- #2
In the
primary grades we began singing Christmas carols. I can just imagine the
"awesome"
feelings
a first grade teacher has starting out on Christmas carols. --too
gruesome! At any rate it's about all the poor teachers were up to -to work
with the squawkers, shouters and "mummies" in the class. If the
teacher were lucky there were two or three in the class that could carry a tune
and blend in. My first grade class was large- between 30 and 50. Needless
to say, I didn't count them.
As I
recall, in 3rd grade, instruction in instruments was first offered. Some
instruments were furnished,
and some were made obtainable by some means. At that time, Ruth took up the
"cello" and did
a fine job of it! (So what's new?)
I wasn't
interested at the time, but Mother encouraged me to take up some
instrument. As a result
I have a vague recollection of an interview including Mother, the head of the
department of music for the schools and
myself. The only discussion I recall is that my teeth and the playing of a flute didn't encourage a
happy career.
Thinking
about -Why the flute?-makes me remember that the only instrument player of any
local renown was "Bill Coon", who was a flautist of great reputation.
He was a Seneca Indian which made him more fascinating, but
also he had at least two sons who were professionals, a lawyer and a doctor, who
had gone to McGill University in Canada! How attractive can one
family be?
I
believe it was in 4th grade that a circulating music teacher appeared and took
over the real task of teaching us to sing as a group. By the time she was
through we could listen to her note on the little mouth organ and take off
singing. Wondering what that little sound had to do with our singing. Not too bad,
anyway.
If
memory serves me correctly, it was about 5th grade that Walter Damrosch
appeared. He had a wonderful program called "The Music Appreciation
Hour" which was on NBC and taught us about classical music, operas,
the stories and the composers of these works. The class was held in the "music
room" , the program was on the radio, and was a wonderful presentation of
that subject. Many were fascinated and I'm sure many future lovers of
classical music were introduced to the
world of fine music at that time. (It was broadcast from 1928-1942)
From
elementary school we went to 8th grade (at the High School), and there I was in
"The
Boys
Glee Club", Ruth was in "The Girls Choral". We both were in
"The Choristers", the mixed group supposedly composed of the
better voices. Later, I was a sailor in the crew of " H.M.S. Pinafore," an opera by
Gilbert and Sullivan. I'm sure Ruth was in other musical presentations,
but as a student 2 yrs. ahead of
her, I was not observant of her obvious talents and presentations. Too bad we
started late in this story!
Love Grandpa (There'll
be more)
I enjoyed music in high school. Singing in "The Choristers" made me think in the last few retrospective months, wondering where the music director had the intestinal fortitude to put me in the better group. -- The answer, I think, was that he knew I always sang next to my good friend, Paul Ruhland, who was an excellent musician could read music, and play the trumpet and carry a tune! I could carry a tune , but had to be led there(by Paul), reading music was other worldly. I could tell by the music that the sound went up or down, but the "how far" was my problem!
When I tried out for the college choral group, I'm sure that was what eliminated me. (And why not?)
So in college, my role was passive in music.
In contrast, Ruth (Grandma Kuhl to you) who played the "cello"; sang in high school, and in college. The college group called "The Schola Cantorum," was mixed and sang many engagements at other colleges, high schools, etc. In addition, she sang for an Episcopal church to aid the choir, for a small retainer, and as a senior had a lead in the college opera. The opera took place when I was in med school, so I did not attend.
As teen-agers we were exposed to "The Saturday Night Hit Parade". As a morning paper boy,i did not have much exposure to that. I don't know about Ruth, since that "was before my time". However, we both had exposure to scout and "Y" camps, where we became exposed tothe songs of that type. Such gems as "Sweet Adeline", "Sweet Ivory Soap", "Clementine" and"the Cannibal King", etc. were enjoyed to the fullest. In addition in German class I learned such wonders as "Du,Du, liegst mir im Herzen," "Ach Du Lieber Augustine" , and "Schnitzelbank" along with other songs of German origin. In church I was exposed to the common hymns, but Ruth at that time had essentially no exposure to religious music.
In college, as a freshman, my chief work to help stay in college, was a "soda jerk" and received plenty of exposure to the popular music of the day. It was "The Big Band Era" so I heard plenty of the music of the times, courtesy of the coins of the students in the juke boxes. My hours were 8-11 thirty so that was the time! “The September Song,” became our theme song of sorts after. (Ruth was not in college… at that point-we were married…11 Sept 1943)
March Madness(April)-Kuhl Style
For several years I have noticed
that "UConn" has been prominent in the masculine collegiate
basketball world, and recently the feminine factor also.
Of course, I knew that Uncle John (John Randolph Kuhl) obtained his
pre-med at "Storrs", and Uncle Dick (Richard Cornelius Fisher) had
been on the faculty at " Storrs". I also knew that Uncle Dick and
Aunt Ellen and their children lived at Waterbury, Connecticut.. In fact, I spent
several weeks one summer with the Fishers. It seems that my father, Ivan
, and Ellen had been "best buds" as they grew up. Oh yes,
I also remember that Calamine Lotion was the treatment of choice for
"poison ivy", that year, anyway.
When all of a sudden the Texas Aggie women crashed insto prominence, it occurred
to me that it might be fun to know the Texas Aggie- UConn connection of the
"Kuhls". Sitting here, I can think of six "Aggies" without
displacing any dandruff!
Randolph Frink mentioned he is a UConn kid, so there may be more! I don't
know where Dick Fisher acquired his pre-dent, or the education of the other
Fishers, Frinks, Briggs, or Cinq-Mars families.
Fun to know!-Randolph-- How about looking some of your Yankee kinfolk up and I'll fill out the "Aggie" roster of "Kuhls"
Randolph's maternal grandmother was Leila Kuhl Briggs-My aunt. His mother was my cousin Frances Briggs Frink. So Randolph is 2nd cousin to Ruth's and my children. He was at the Kuhl Reunion at Keuka Lake, last summer.
UConn is at Storrs,Ct.
Love, Y'all! , Grandpa, Ivan, etc.
Fun to know!-Randolph-- How about looking some of your Yankee kinfolk up and I'll fill out the "Aggie" roster of "Kuhls"
Randolph's maternal grandmother was Leila Kuhl Briggs-My aunt. His mother was my cousin Frances Briggs Frink. So Randolph is 2nd cousin to Ruth's and my children. He was at the Kuhl Reunion at Keuka Lake, last summer.
UConn is at Storrs,Ct.
Love, Y'all! , Grandpa, Ivan, etc.
Teresa Terraplane"-Our First Auto
Teresa
Terraplane"-Our First Auto- Part 1
In
the fading days of 1944 we realized that if I went out of Buffalo for my
internship (We were thinking Toledo, at the time) we might not see our parents
for months. Reasoning that that would be a hardship for grandparents (us?)
we checked our bankbook and the projected income (as a buck private in the
Army, plus the living allowance) to see if it might be feasible to obtain an
auto. So we talked and thought a lot with each other and friends and
decided to "give it a go" if at all possible. So we read all the ads
and kept our eyes open and asked friends to do likewise.
Perhaps it would be well to establish the context in which we were working. Regular production of automobiles was prohibited as of early 1942. Therefore there were no "new" vehicles available, and the "used" cars were "really used".
After a few weeks -2-3- we located a vehicle about 10 blocks from us, for only about $200. The only major problem was a "cracked block". That meant the cooling system wouldn't work after a small length of running time and the motor would quit. So I asked the local garage if he could fix it. -Yes, but no guarantee-- for $85. (About $10,000 in today's money-it seemed at the time). Nevertheless we took the chance. We took the chance, and they did it!
Our find was a "Terraplane". The Terraplane was made by the Hudson Motor Co.. It was among several cars made by that company. The Essex Terraplane was made in 1932 and 1933 and the "Terraplane" in 1933 through 1938. Therefore our car was 6-10 years old, -probably 6-7.(?) There was no problem with a name for our juggernaut.
Believe me, it was with a mixture of fear, trepidation and prayerfulness that I drove out of the garage, down Allen St. to our 2 story on College Avenue. We were on the 2nd floor. It(We) made it! Believe me there was no celebratory drive after that delivery!
However, the next day, after a trial "spin" with Ruth and Peter we undertook the Batavia trip! So at the start of that momentous occurrence we took off with even more of the previous tenuous aura to the 19 Spruce St. address in Batavia! We made it!
With Ruth triumphantly carrying little Peter to his maternal grandparents home! However, Dad Amidon said, "That motor doesn't sound too powerful" The mechanic's pronouncement!
So the mechanic did his thing and "the spark plugs are fouled pretty bad". So I learned how to change spark plugs that day, the old plugs were cleaned and a new set was obtained, so they could be switched after each leg of the Batavia- Buffalo trips!
Believe me, we didn't cruise Batavia to show off! The "Deans" had to come to see the "crew and the "cruiser"!
After a suitable time we made the venture back to Buffalo. Uneventful!! Later we made a few brief rides to gain confidence. My dear mother-in-law made the venture to visit us. So we went "for a spin'. THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME I SAW FLAMES THROUGH THE FLOORBOARDS1 Strangely enough that was the only time she came to visit us during that period. with our furnishing the transportation. You might say she was timid. I would say she was just one smart mother-in-law! Hope you picked yours as well as I did!
Love, Grandpa
Perhaps it would be well to establish the context in which we were working. Regular production of automobiles was prohibited as of early 1942. Therefore there were no "new" vehicles available, and the "used" cars were "really used".
After a few weeks -2-3- we located a vehicle about 10 blocks from us, for only about $200. The only major problem was a "cracked block". That meant the cooling system wouldn't work after a small length of running time and the motor would quit. So I asked the local garage if he could fix it. -Yes, but no guarantee-- for $85. (About $10,000 in today's money-it seemed at the time). Nevertheless we took the chance. We took the chance, and they did it!
Our find was a "Terraplane". The Terraplane was made by the Hudson Motor Co.. It was among several cars made by that company. The Essex Terraplane was made in 1932 and 1933 and the "Terraplane" in 1933 through 1938. Therefore our car was 6-10 years old, -probably 6-7.(?) There was no problem with a name for our juggernaut.
Believe me, it was with a mixture of fear, trepidation and prayerfulness that I drove out of the garage, down Allen St. to our 2 story on College Avenue. We were on the 2nd floor. It(We) made it! Believe me there was no celebratory drive after that delivery!
However, the next day, after a trial "spin" with Ruth and Peter we undertook the Batavia trip! So at the start of that momentous occurrence we took off with even more of the previous tenuous aura to the 19 Spruce St. address in Batavia! We made it!
With Ruth triumphantly carrying little Peter to his maternal grandparents home! However, Dad Amidon said, "That motor doesn't sound too powerful" The mechanic's pronouncement!
So the mechanic did his thing and "the spark plugs are fouled pretty bad". So I learned how to change spark plugs that day, the old plugs were cleaned and a new set was obtained, so they could be switched after each leg of the Batavia- Buffalo trips!
Believe me, we didn't cruise Batavia to show off! The "Deans" had to come to see the "crew and the "cruiser"!
After a suitable time we made the venture back to Buffalo. Uneventful!! Later we made a few brief rides to gain confidence. My dear mother-in-law made the venture to visit us. So we went "for a spin'. THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME I SAW FLAMES THROUGH THE FLOORBOARDS1 Strangely enough that was the only time she came to visit us during that period. with our furnishing the transportation. You might say she was timid. I would say she was just one smart mother-in-law! Hope you picked yours as well as I did!
Love, Grandpa
Teresa
Terraplane"-Our First Auto- Part 2
Of
course, in those days the only "new tire" was in a museum. I
vividly recall one pleasant spring day as we approached the Buffalo City Limits
on the blitheful way to Batavia, feeling the usual "sashaying" of the
car as the right rear tire went flat. So, we slowed down, stopped, and
yours truly took off the wheel and trundled it the 2-300 yards to the nearby
gas station. Having been the veteran of many years of bicycle tire repair, it
would be no big deal! ---But, I didn't have a tire repair kit with me!
"What
can I do for you my man ?" came the cheerful greeting.
"I
just need to buy a tire repair kit, then I'll fix the tire and be on my
way."
"You're
going to use "that" tire?
"Yes,
that's my tire."
"Hey,
I have a better one than that in my reject pile, that you can have."
"Hmm…let's see."
And,
we did… and I did!
While
my wonderful wife and poor Peter suffered because of the Old Man's goof.
So, on to Batavia.
Almost every week-end-- or when they(in-laws) could figure out a way to avoid the minor calamities coming otherwise, they came to Buffalo instead of our trips to see them in Batavia.
Almost every week-end-- or when they(in-laws) could figure out a way to avoid the minor calamities coming otherwise, they came to Buffalo instead of our trips to see them in Batavia.
About
the time we were ready to take off for Staten Island (changed from Toledo) we
had the problem of the motor suddenly going "POOF POOF POOF" with
the accompaniment of a slowdown of the car to a complete stop. After
suitable periods of anxiety and other
shenanigans, the motor would respond and we'd be off for another 30-40 miles!
Of course these pseudo breakdowns would always occur when we were
farthest from our current goal.
With this rather daunting prospect we took off for Staten Island and Port Washington on the 30th of June to be able for me to check in at the hospital before the 4th. We stuck to the 30-40 mile pattern until we went by Dansville. We were unable to persuade the garage people to work on the car at that time. "Wait until Monday," HO HO!! So off we went and about 3 miles into the 20 mile Dansville Hill, the car refused to go up at that angle. So we went back down hill and with great persistence we founf a road which bypassed the hill! -- And wonder of wonders we called Don Groff's parents in Wayland and made the town! Don's step- father took over and arranged for the transmission repair the first thing in the morning!!
With this rather daunting prospect we took off for Staten Island and Port Washington on the 30th of June to be able for me to check in at the hospital before the 4th. We stuck to the 30-40 mile pattern until we went by Dansville. We were unable to persuade the garage people to work on the car at that time. "Wait until Monday," HO HO!! So off we went and about 3 miles into the 20 mile Dansville Hill, the car refused to go up at that angle. So we went back down hill and with great persistence we founf a road which bypassed the hill! -- And wonder of wonders we called Don Groff's parents in Wayland and made the town! Don's step- father took over and arranged for the transmission repair the first thing in the morning!!
With
that lovely wife and cute baby we didn't stand a chance of going to rent a
room! So we stayed with them.
So about 11:30 am we were off for another try!
After a few more 30-40mi laps we ended up in a small town in New Jersey where we encountered a mechanic who listened to me and my story. Then, said he:" That sounds like the diaphragm of your fuel pump! I can fix that in an hour or so!" -And he did! So shortly another valiant try began?!?
Love, Grandpa!
So about 11:30 am we were off for another try!
After a few more 30-40mi laps we ended up in a small town in New Jersey where we encountered a mechanic who listened to me and my story. Then, said he:" That sounds like the diaphragm of your fuel pump! I can fix that in an hour or so!" -And he did! So shortly another valiant try began?!?
Love, Grandpa!
Teresa
Terraplane"-Our First Auto- Part 3
We proceeded and lo and behold we reached
Brooklyn! Of course, you might guess that the one place we would have a
"flat" would be Brooklyn! So on a lovely stretch of Atlantic Avenue
in the Borough of Brooklyn we had a definite flat tire.
That stop alone could have been written up as a musical, or at least, -- a play. Once i opened the trunk the air was filled with helpful suggestions from the absorbed , interested sudden flock of onlookers! " Dat ting goes heah" "No dat ting goes ovah heah. –On de udder side!". "Let's take da momma, and dat cute little chahma inside to clean up too!.",etc., etc..
That stop alone could have been written up as a musical, or at least, -- a play. Once i opened the trunk the air was filled with helpful suggestions from the absorbed , interested sudden flock of onlookers! " Dat ting goes heah" "No dat ting goes ovah heah. –On de udder side!". "Let's take da momma, and dat cute little chahma inside to clean up too!.",etc., etc..
So Ruth and Peter went inside, got cleaned
up and refreshed while my appreciative voluble audience saw to it " Dat I
did da right ting." They didn't touch anything, however, just
"helped" verbally. So after many "thank you’s," and a
rinse we were on our way to Port Washington (Without Ruth's wrist watch, we
found out after arriving at "Joey's" in Port Washington.)
"Joey" (Eleanor Merrill) had been one of Ruth's roommates at Wm Smith and she and her family were enthused about keeping Ruth and Peter until suitable housing would be found on Staten Island. So, I left them and went back to check in at the U.S.Public Health Hospital at Stapleton, Staten Island. There I had a room in the hospital,checked in and began my term.
In about a week I happened on some rooms
supposedly just right for a small family. Turned out to be a disaster…
Although the owner was an MD she had not had a course in Hygiene in
school, whereever it was. Brings to mind one of Ruth's little sayings
that she seldom used, but had in her repertoire. "I never saw a cockroach
until I married you!" Fortunately in about 3 days we found a lovely set up
about a quarter of a mile from the hospital. Clean, handy and wonderful
landlords!
Teresa was then parked in front of the
apartment. I don't remember moving her from that spot. I would go
out, start the engine about every 10 days to 2 weeks but, that was all. About
the first of May a recently discharged soldier from Colorado appeared and
despite my history he moved Teresa from our world. --To our relief.
I have wondered many times over the years-- How did Teresa's life
continue? As interestingly as with us; without problems or disastrously…Never
did hear!
Oh, by the way, Ruth and i found the spot of the "flat tire" and found that the plan was, if we didn’t appear by the following Sunday the "Folks" were going to ask the diocese to notify the R.C. Church in Port Washington of the watch encountered after we left. At any rate, Ruth's watch returned to its rightful site, her wrist!
Oh, by the way, Ruth and i found the spot of the "flat tire" and found that the plan was, if we didn’t appear by the following Sunday the "Folks" were going to ask the diocese to notify the R.C. Church in Port Washington of the watch encountered after we left. At any rate, Ruth's watch returned to its rightful site, her wrist!
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